This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Mill On The Floss Author: George Eliot Publisher: Ward Lock & Co Date: First Published in 1860 Illustrated by Bertha Newcombe. Further Information: Mary Ann Evans used the pen name George Eliot. The label on the spine is unreadable Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the mill on the floss, george eliot, mary ann evans, bertha newcombe

Folding Souvenir Card - Bendigo 17 city and country scenes. Addressed to Mrs M. Evans, 'Flowing Vale', Lima East, via Benalla. Still has a one penny stamp. From E. Patterson.place, bendigo, olive pell collection. postcards of bendigo.

Henry William Frood was born in England in 1830 and came to the Victorian Goldfields in 1856. As a sergeant of Police, he served for a total of 32 years in Castlemaine, Sandhurst, Daylesford, Horsham and Stawell until his retirement in 1889. HE died in Melbourne 7/6/1894.A series of articles and copies of photographs on Sergeant Henry William Frood compiled by Carol Holsworth, Jim Evans and others. Also, a research paper titled " In memory of Henry William Frood 1830-1894" by Lynne Cooper.henry william frood, castlemaine, bendigo, chinese museum

White piece of paper. Received from A. B. Evans the sum of Twenty Pounds amount of Funeral donation on Ac/c of my late Husband E. Gaehler. March 16th/ 7? Signed by Cathere Goehler.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - receipt, a b evans, e goehler, cathere goehler

Blue coupon, dated June 30 1875, asking Mr. W. Philpot, Treasurer to pay Mechanics Institute the sum of £2/-/- for rent in advance. Signed by C. Sloppellein?, C.R. and W. B. Evans?, Secretary.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no 3770 collection - to pay, court king of the forest, w philpot, mechanics institute, c sloppellein, w b evans

Blue coupon, dated August 11 1875, asking Mr. W. Philpot, Treasurer, to pay Benevolent Fund B.U.D.O.U.F. the sum of £2 for Donation. Signed by C. Sloppellein, C.R. and W. B. Evans?, Secretary.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no 3770 collection - to pay, court king of the forest, w philpot, benevolent fund b.u.d.o.u.f., c sloppellein, w b evans

The series of seven photographs highlight examples of vandalism within the town centre precinct. Most of the vandalism occurred on public buildingsA coloured photograph of public telephones and the taxi rank in Evans Street. The telephone directories have been torn up an thrown around the brick pavement along with other litter. The trunk of an elm tree is in the middle of the photograph.vandalism, evans street, taxi ranks, public telephones, telstra, telecom, george evans collection

Coloured photograph of Bob Gardner (WHS treasurer), Barbara Wells and Megan Cardamon (accreditation team) and Vicki Jones-Evans (WHS president) in July 2009. They are in the new stand-alone machine shed in the Schwerkolt grounds.wells, barbara, cardamon, megan, gardiner, bob, museum accreditation - 2009, vicki jones-evans

Uniform issued to Henry Victor Evans No 418655 RAAF, refer Cat No 1760.4.1) JJacket twill cotton, navy blue colour with Navigator wings. .2).3) belts twill cotton, navy blue colour with black metal buttons.uniforms, raaf

2772.15 Text on rear states, "Evans, McGrath, Burginton laying cable, Bruni" .1) - .14) Black & white photos, unknown. .15) Black & white photo, Bruni .16) - .18) Black & white photos, Baalbek, Syria. .19) - .34) Black & white photos, Palestine. .35) - .38) Black & white photos, Tripoli. .39) - .61) Black & white photos, Cairo.photography-photographs, military history - army, passchendaele barracks trust

Item was in the collection of Victor Henry Evans No 418655 RAAF. Refer Cat No 1760.4.Beige paper or cardboard second class railway ticket No 23124 N.S.W.G.R issued to military personnel in uniform only. Text details which lines the ticket is valid for and the conditions for its use.There is a faint, almost illegible ink stamp across the ticket and the signature of the issuing officer. "Expires Dec 1944" "Don Murchie phone XB4252 9 Toongarah Rd Wiverton"documents-tickets, military history, transport-railways, nsw

Item belonged to Victor Henry Evans No 418655 RAAF. Refer Cat no 1760.4.Summer uniform cloth badge for WWII RAAF Wireless Operator. Khaki coloured, oval shaped, depicts a hand holding lightning bolts.uniforms-insignia, military history-raaf, wireless